Johnny Manziel may be on top of the college football world following his spectacular 2012 season, in which he became the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy, but one opposing coach had no issue taking shots at the Texas A&M quarterback.

Oklahoma defensive coordinator Mike Stoops referenced Manziel's off-the-field troubles in a radio interview on Friday. Later, he expressed regret for his comments.

Stoops, through an Oklahoma athletics department spokesman, said he has the "utmost respect for Texas A&M and Johnny Manziel."

Stoops, whose team was beaten 41-13 by Manziel and the Aggies in last week's Cotton Bowl, didn't mince words when talking about Manziel during a radio interview earlier Friday.

Stoops started out complimenting Manziel, telling Oklahoma City station WWLS (per a transcription by Tulsa World columnist John E. Hoover): “I’ve seen a lot of football players play a lot of different styles with guys, but never seen anything like that in my whole life. I mean, I’ve never felt as defenseless as we were the other night, that’s for sure."

But Stoops then referred to Manziel’s recent off-the-field troubles, saying, “If they can keep him out of jail or keep him eligible, he’s gonna be real good."

Last June, Manziel was arrested and charged with three misdemeanors — disorderly conduct, failure to identify and possession of a fictitious driver’s license — in connection with a late-night fight in College Station, Texas.

Stoops didn’t stop there.

“If they can keep him off Twitter, he might win three or four Heismans. He’ll have that kind of ability,” Stoops was quoted as saying.

A photo of the 20-year-old Manziel holding cash at a casino was posted to his Twitter account last Saturday, a day after the Aggies beat Oklahoma. The picture was later removed.

Manziel broke Cam Newton's Southeastern Conference record by compiling 4,600 yards of total offense during the regular season. He produced 516 more yards in the Aggies' victory over the Sooners at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Texas A&M finished 11-2 on the season.